Oblivion (A Black Clover Story)

Thirty-Seven

-Nozel-

It felt odd wearing something other than my usual uniform, but it couldn't be helped. I essentially had no choice, as it was a formal event that I was personally invited to by the Wizard King. He even went out of his way to visit me on one of the few days I spent running my squad from my base. I had no doubt that I would be subject to watching him get all nice and cozy with Iris too. It was annoying. Whatever.

When I arrived, I found it to be curious that I was extremely early. The only other guests that were here so far were a few nobles I'd never seen before, the Captain of the Blue Rose Knights, and... Captain Vangeance. My eyes locked with his, and I took note that he was sitting by himself with what looked to be either a glass of water or some clear liquor. He didn't seem like the type to drink so heavily at such an event, so I was willing to bet it was water. The Captain stared for another brief moment before turning his head away and taking a sip of his drink.

I didn't want to drink heavily either, but I at least needed something. Something just to take the edge off was all I needed. At the bar, I ordered a small glass of a light red wine, something I knew I could drink without fumbling over myself. After my many nights of getting drunk with Iris, I'd learned to tolerate alcohol a little bit better. I sighed, finding myself bored with the few people that were already here and the ones that were beginning to trickle in.

Feeling a pair of eyes watching me from afar, I smirked and sat down with the man who was giving me countless dirty looks. "What do you want?" Vangeance asked, intensifying his gaze at me.

I simply took a sip of my wine, indulging in its fruity flavors. "I'm not allowed to sit with you?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

He crossed his arms, glare not letting up from beneath his mask. "And why would you willingly sit with me after all that's happened?"

Sighing, I took another sip of my drink. It was a very small amount, so I was already halfway done with it. I guess I had to be honest with him. "Well, I'd rather spend the night with someone who will also hate seeing those two together."

He rolled his eyes, looking at the small crowd that now formed in the large hall. "A fair point."

I chuckled, downing the rest of my glass of wine. "Let me order you a drink."

Our eyes met again, but this time I wasn't smiling. I had on my usual expression when I was around the other Captains. "Why?" he asked, his mana telling me he was suspicious.

"Why?" I repeated, "Because you need to loosen up. We might as well make the most of tonight considering we'll be subject to their bullshit," I explained quietly, eyeing the lineup of liquor along the wall of the bar. I looked back to him. "What do you like to drink?"

His eyes narrowed. "I'm not drinking with you."

I scoffed, waving the bartender over. "An old fashioned for me," I requested, looking to William. "And you?"

He rolled his eyes again before closing them. "Make it two."

With an incredibly fake smile, the bartender said, "Of course Lord Nozel and Sir Vangeance," before leaving to mix our drinks.

I looked back at the man across from me. His eyes were still closed. I had yet to tell him the real reason why I wanted to drink with him, but I was sure that as the night went on, the truth would come out eventually. It always did when alcohol was involved... Which was the whole point. "So," I began, causing him to open his eyes and look at me again, "You met Iris before her amnesia?"

Vangeance's gaze narrowed once more. "Yes. What of it?"

I hummed, wishing I hadn't finished my wine yet. "I was just curious. I never had the chance to meet her before," I explained, watching as even more people gathered to now form a medium-sized crowd. He said nothing, so I went on. "Was she different then than she is now?"